lightning bolt question

[Voadam]

where does a lightning bolt start? At the character's fingertips or anywhere in the range?

from the srd:

Lightning Bolt

Evocation [Electricity]
Level: Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level) or 50 ft. + 5 ft./level
Area: 5 ft. wide to medium range (100 ft. + 10 ft./level); or 10 ft. wide to 50 ft. + 5 ft./level
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Reflex half
Spell Resistance: Yes

The character releases a powerful stroke of electrical energy that deals 1d6 points of damage per caster level (maximum 10d6) to each creature within its area. The bolt begins at the character's fingertips.

It seems like it starts at the character's fingertips from the area description and the text of the spell but then it has its own range listed separately which generally means it could start anywhere in that range (past PCs in front of the wizard, etc.)

 

[Crothian]

It starts from the character

 

[Voadam]

from the srd:

Range

A spell's range indicates how far from the character it can reach, as defined on the Range line of the spell description. A spell's range is the maximum distance from the character that the spell's effect can occur, as well as the maximum distance at which the character can designate the spell's point of origin. If any portion of the spell's area would extend beyond the range, that area is wasted. Standard ranges include:

Personal: The spell affects only the character.

Touch: The character must touch a creature or object to affect it.

Close: The spell can reach up to 25 feet away from the character. The maximum range increases by 5 feet for every two full caster levels.

Medium: The spell can reach up to 100 feet + 10 feet per caster level.

Long: The spell can reach up to 400 feet + 40 feet per caster level.

Unlimited: The spell can reach anywhere on the same plane of existence.

Range Expressed in Feet: Some spells have no standard range category, just a range expressed in feet.


The relevant part seems to be the phrase "as well as the maximum distance at which the character can designate the spell's point of origin. "

 

[Vaxalon]

where does a lightning bolt start? At the character's fingertips or anywhere in the range?

from the srd:
"....The bolt begins at the character's fingertips."

It seems like it starts at the character's fingertips from the area description and the text of the spell but then it has its own range listed separately which generally means it could start anywhere in that range (past PCs in front of the wizard, etc.)

The range listed is how far it goes from the character's fingertips.

I really don't see how this isn't clear.

 

[kreynolds]

It seems like it starts at the character's fingertips from the area description and the text of the spell

It does start at the character's fingertips.

but then it has its own range listed separately

Lightning Bolt is an area of effect spell, and it's area of effect is the same as it's range (depending on whether you want the bolt long or wide), and it's range begins at your fingertips.

which generally means it could start anywhere in that range (past PCs in front of the wizard, etc.)

Generally, but since it specifically states that it "begins at the character's fingertips", that's not the case.

 

[Dr_Rictus]

Indeed. Normally you can designate the point of origin of area spells anywhere out to the spell's range, but lightning bolt specifies a very clear exception. The bolt begins at your fingertips.

 

[Voadam]

It threw me the first time this came up in a game, I'm so used to using LB at range or starting just past the front line fighters from playing 1e and 2e. It is a substantial 3e change for the spell. (at least for the tactics I have used).

I agree with the consensus here though from how it is written.

It just seems to make LB less tactically useful than a fireball now.

 

[kreynolds]

It just seems to make LB less tactically useful than a fireball now.

Pretty much. Unless, of course, you have 60 goblins in a line.

 

[AuraSeer]

Tactics depend on the terrain. Fireball is usually better in open areas, while Lightning Bolt is perfect for defending a long hallway.

 

[KarinsDad]

It just seems to make LB less tactically useful than a fireball now.

In larger areas such as outdoors, or indoors in long corridors or large rooms, you can still freely move through friendly spaces until you get to an area up front, or near the front and off to the side where you can blast away. Yes, this might sometimes result in AoOs and/or quick enemy counterattacks, but with Concentration, the first tends to be less of a problem and the second is more a risk for melee. Missiles and spells can often get spell casters no matter where they are, so there is little difference between the two spells with regard to counterattacks via enemy missiles and spells, just melee.

And, for Higher Level NPC Evil Wizards and Sorcerers with few allies, Lightning Bolt is probably more tactically useful than Fireball in some cases since it allows them to pinpoint narrower lines of fire. But, only if they have few allies or do not care about their allies.

It's just not quite as useful for PC Wizards and Sorcerers.